New Jersey - Bergen and Passaic Counties

If youve ever moved, you know its a huge job. Sorting, packing, organizing and dealing with a mover and other vendors takes large amounts of time and energy. But, what about the emotional challenge of moving?  To help you make the most of your experience and lower your stress levels, check out some of our most valuable tips for coping with emotions associated with moving: Acknowledge your feelings and emotions Allow yourself to feel your emotions, to avoid a breakdown. Ask for help Moving is a big deal. Ask friends and family to help you pack and deal with the emotionality of moving. Be thoughtful as you go through your possessions Take the time upfront to sort your items and determine whether to save, donate, or toss to avoid any frustrations later. Take time to really see your surroundings Your home is full of memories. Take time from your organizing and moving to remember all the important things that happened there.  Look ahead Take a trip to your new neighborhood or community and visit local spots. Your move is a new opportunity for discovery and growth.  Speak up During a move, its easy to feel overwhelmed and be swayed by others opinions. Remember to communicate your needs clearly.  Reserve some time for yourself Make sure that you schedule some down time. Breaks can keep your emotional and physical energy going through the moving process.   If youd like to learn how the professionals at WayForth can help with all the aspects of moving such as floor planning, packing and unpacking, downsizing, storage solutions, and more. Contact our experts at 817-697-4478 or go to our website to get started! 

Moving to a new home can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. With all the other things that need to be taken care of, its easy for space planning to get pushed off until after you move in. But taking the time to thoughtfully plan the layout of your new home before making the move has numerous benefits, ranging from convenience and cost-effectiveness through improved coordination and decreased stress levels.   Advantages of Space Planning Before Moving There are many advantages to space planning before moving, such as being able to identify what items are necessary to bring, what can be donated or thrown away, and where everything will fit in the new space. How to Analyze Your New Home and Plan Out the Perfect Layout Consider the function of each room and how you want to use it. This will help you determine the best layout for each space. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create a home that not only looks great but also works for your lifestyle. Tips for Optimizing Space and Maximizing Storage Solutions Utilize vertical space with tall bookcases and shelves or opt for multi-functional furniture like a storage ottoman or bed with built-in drawers. Dont be afraid to get creative with organization repurpose items like mason jars or tension rods for unique storage solutions. With a little careful planning and clever thinking, your space can be both functional and stylish. Making Room Arrangements to Create a Harmonious Balance in Your Home When it comes to creating a harmonious balance in your home, the placement of furniture and dcor can play a major role. One of the first things to consider is the size of your space and how much floor plan layout flexibility you have. A well-balanced room should feel open and inviting instead of cramped and cluttered.  Consider Space PlanningTo take the stress out of moving and make sure that your space is planned perfectly for you, Whether youre seeking extra storage space or are looking for ways to create more room for entertaining friends and family, our experienced team has your back every step of the way from packing up your old place right through to setting up furniture in your new abode. Dont wait any longer 

I sneak around the corner in my red shoes. If he sees me, he will scold me. I shouldnt be wearing them, he says. They are dangerous. Maybe he is right, but I love my red shoes. They make me feel alive. They make me want to dance. They remind me of when I was young and could wear any shoes I wanted. Now, at age 91, my step is slower. I no longer dance. The physical therapist at the assisted living facility where I live tells me I should be wearing sensible shoes, flat with Velcro closures. I do most of the time, but today I want to feel young. I slip on my red shoes. Everyone notices. They all like my red shoes, expect for Elizabeth, who thinks red shoes are risqu, no matter your age. That adds to the fun. My step is lighter in my red shoes and so is my spirit. Perhaps that will help me move quickly enough not to get caught by the physical therapist. It is easy to tell our aging loved ones what they should and should not be doing. Often the motivation is genuine concern for their safety. But it is important to remember that each thing they are asked to give up represents part of their identity. Something as simple as the shoes one wears can impact the way they view themselves. So, approach the topics which need to be addressed to keep your loved one safe, but do so gently, respecting the person and recognizing what youre asking them to do may not be as simple as it seems. Patty Masterson-Kane, LCSW and Patty Hemphill, LCSW are partners in Elder Care Options, a Geriatric Care Management Agency. They help families coping with issues related to aging and changing care needs and can be reached at 201-848-8539.

At some point in our life each of us will experience the loss of someone we love dearly. With loss comes grief. Although grief is a universal emotion it may be one of the most intimate and personal feelings we ever experience. Losing a loved one evokes anxiety and feelings of loneliness that we may have never known before. Even though we may be lucky to have family and friends to support us, we feel alone in our grief.There may be times when grief seems everlasting and the pain and discomfort feels like it will never dissipate. It is true that grief has its own life span, but there are identifiable stages of grief that can help individuals navigate through their journey. Immediately following a loss you may feel numb. The responsibility of focusing on medical care for your loved one, making final arrangements and managing the paper work that comes after a death may sometimes shadow the reality of your loss. When all of the housekeeping is complete you may even experience a feeling of disconnection wondering if your loved one is really gone. When the realness of the situation begins to seep through, an extreme sadness may overcome you. This stage is often the most difficult and most frightening. It may also be the longest lasting stage. Over time this sadness will decrease and you may feel a reluctant acceptance of your loved ones death. As this acceptance takes hold you will realize that life does move forward and you can return to living even without him/her present each day. Life will be different, but you will experience joy again.Our society has made great strides in understanding end-of-life issues as they relate to the patient we still have a long way to travel to understand the impact of loss on those who are left behind. Friends and family members may suggest you move on or get over it. Grief is not something you have control over. Sometimes the loneliness of grief causes us to forget that help is available. Supports groups and individual counseling are available. It is when you are experiencing your lowest moment, that reaching out is most important. With time and support you will be able to look forward to the future once again. Editors Note: Judith Pilchik Zucker, LCSW, is a Bereavement Coordinator and Counselor with the Saint Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center (SBHPCC). For information about bereavement programs and services offered by the SBHPCC, please call 973-322-4817 or visit www.sbhcshospice.com.